A NATIONWIDE survey has revealed that two-thirds of businesses in the North-east of Scotland have backed plans – previously floated by Scottish Labour – to introduce metro mayors.
Metro mayors were introduced in parts of England less than a decade ago to address longstanding underperformance in major cities, such as Birmingham and Manchester.
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The poll, conducted by 56° North and the Diffley Partnership, found that 68% of the North-east firms surveyed backed the idea, but less than half in Edinburgh and the Lothians (41%) and Glasgow and Strathclyde (46%) supported it.
There are 11 metro mayors in England, covering little more than a third of the country, while others are awaiting parliamentary approval.
The idea of introducing a similar structure in Scotland isn’t new.
The subject of mayors has been a theme in previous reports published by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC).
Responding to the Understanding Business findings, AGCC chief executive Russell Borthwick said: “The UK Government has made clear that in England, the ‘levelling-up’ agenda will seek to devolve responsibility to local authorities and to metro mayors, although the government will not force local authorities to adopt metro mayors.
“It is not yet clear how this is to be resolved with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“What is clear, however, is that we must see real leadership in Scotland’s cities in the same way that these metro mayors are influencing positive change south of the border.”
Mr Borthwick added: “Businesses will be watching this policy develop with interest after the election, particularly to see if Labour embraces mayors and pushes them as a key pillar for future economic growth in Scotland.”
